‘Party Mix’ Tasty, Not Too Filling

Think of Justin Tanner’s “Party Mix” as a party, not a play, and you’re more likely to have fun.

This 1990 comedy, now in revival as a brief fund-raiser for the Cast Theatre, doesn’t have much of a story. It simply provides pungent characterizations of guests who wander into a low-rent Hollywood apartment for a chips-and-dips affair that has been abandoned by its own hostess.

The style is very realistic, but the play has three advantages over an authentic party: The music remains at a decibel level that allows conversation to be heard; the passage of time is shortened by scene breaks, so that the whole thing is over in 75 minutes; and we hover in the position of fly on the wall, appreciating Tanner’s quips instead of having to make small talk with this crew.

A cast of Tanner regulars has been joined by guest stars Laurie Metcalf and John Glover. Metcalf is no surprise, for the former “Roseanne” actress did a similar stint in Tanner’s “Pot Mom” and then took that play to the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Here, she plays a rock singer who’s desperate to let everyone know about her midnight gig but doesn’t want to look too needy.

Glover is new to the Tanner group, though the program notes that he’s a Tanner fan. Making the first appearance by a Tony winner in a Tanner play, he appears as an aggressively friendly, fastidious guest who brings wine and keeps missing the appearances of his increasingly drunken friend (Gill Gayle). The two guest stars mix well with the ensemble.

“Party Mix” is slighter than most of Tanner’s later work, but it provides a tasty interlude with an assortment of Hollywood characters who are funnier here than they would be in person.

BE THERE

“Party Mix,” Cast-at-the-Circle Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave., Hollywood. Friday, Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. Ends Sunday. $15. (213) 462-0265. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.